MSW Curriculum

The Advanced Social Work Practice concentration will prepare you with the theoretical knowledge, applied skills, and values to work across a continuum of services at micro, mezzo and macro levels. Our model prepares you to practice with a wide range of populations and settings to meet the needs of your community. The curriculum emphasizes culturally responsive practice needed for the increasing diversity within communities at a local, state, national or global context.  

The minimum credits required for the Master of Social Work degree is 81 for MSW students and 54 for Advanced-Standing MSW students (who enter with a B.S.W). The foundation curriculum for MSW students is 36 credits and concentration curriculum is made up of 45 credits. The table below shows a list of required foundation and concentration course offerings for the Advanced Social Work Practice degree.   

No matter your areas of interest, you can tailor your studies to meet your goals while ensuring you will be well-prepared for social work practice in a variety of applied settings. Students have the option to design and choose their own pathways through the concentration requirements.   

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MSW@Denver offers two online program options:

View the admission requirements for both program tracks.

All students are required to take the following course credits in each practice area:  

*note courses that have not been taken to fulfill required categories above can be taken as an elective  
**courses available as a visiting student in Denver campus program online and in person will be provided to students prior to quarterly registration 

GSSW has created a variety of Pathway ideas as examples. However, students are allowed – and even encouraged – to mix and match their interests with suggested pathway course plans to tailor them to their own areas of specialization.

Please note that to receive federal loans, students must be enrolled in at least 4 credits per quarter, per DU Office of Financial Aid policy.  Additionally, credits outside of program requirements may not be covered by federal loans.

Develop an understanding of the history, values and ethics of the social work profession while you explore topics such as human development and behavior, the impact of oppression on individuals and groups, interventions with client systems, and how to apply research to programs and practice.

Online MSW students complete the full foundation curriculum, while Online Advanced-Standing MSW students complete three required foundation courses before moving on to their concentration.

Request information to learn more about the MSW curriculum.

Field internships are the highlight of the social work curriculum, providing you with the opportunity to practice your new skills in a variety of settings and specialties. You will apply classroom theory to real-world settings under the supervision of master’s-level social workers. Through their feedback and mentorship, you will gain valuable experience and hone your personal practice. The MSW@Denver curriculum combined with your field education will ensure that you are exposed to the many issues and challenges that you may encounter in your career as a social worker.

Learn more about field education.